Founded by local beer club members Derek Lebert, Graham Spence, Phil Hipkiss and Bryan Maher, Block Three will be launching tomorrow (August 31st) with King Street Saison, which will be available in bottles, growlers and kegs. A second beer – Sugar Bush Brown Ale – will be packaged over the weekend for later sales.

King Street Saison will also be debuting on tap today at craft beer bar Imbibe Food & Drink in nearby Kitchener.

Block Three will be open for retail sales this weekend from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturday & Sundays, and 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Labour Day Monday. Regular business hours will be announced soon via the Block Three Facebook page and Twitter feed.

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Black Oak Nox Aeterna

Brewery: Black Oak Brewing, Etobicoke, ONStyle: Smoked StoutABV: 7%

Given that its name is Latin for “Eternal Night,” it’s fitting that this stout - which is brewed with coffee, oats and smoked malt - has a nearly black body with a dark brown cap. Coffee is by far the dominant element in the the aroma, supported by hickory smoke and roasted nuts. The flavour is moderately sweet to start, with dark cocoa and coffee notes that give way to wood smoke in the middle, and a slightly sour tone in the finish that provides a nice counterpoint. Could use a bit more body, but otherwise, it’s a very pleasant winter-friendly brew.